DAILY FOOTBALL INFO

Southampton have completed the signing of Charlie Austin from Queens Park Rangers after agreeing a fee of £4.5million for the striker. Saints confirmed on Saturday that Austin has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal after he agreed personal terms and passed a medical. The 26-year-old said: 'As soon as Southampton showed an interest that was the one club I wanted to go to.' 'I'm delighted to have got it over the line so soon into January. I can't wait to get started now. 'You see the progression from when I was playing against Southampton for Swindon. For me, it was important to come to a club that's on the up and that's what I've got here.' It is understood that the 26-year-old was going to wait until his contract at Loftus Road had expired in the summer but the lure of playing Premier League football before then was enough to convince him to join early. Austin had been in fine form for the Championship club this season. Despite suffering f

Flores and Ighalo with their award Watford duo Quique Flores and  Odion Ighalo  have been rewarded for the Hornets' remarkable form in December by winning the Premier League manager and player of the month awards.

Real Madrid  and   Atlético Madrid  will not be able to register any new players during the next two transfer windows and this throws up several questions. 1. Can they recall loan players? Yes. Real Madrid and Atlético can call back players who are away on loan, as long as no money changes hands between the two clubs involved. 2. Despite not being able to register anyone, can they still sell players? Yes, the ban does not stop Real Madrid or Atlético from offloading players. 3. Does the ban affect club coaches? No, coaches are not included in the FIFA transfer ban. In other words, Real Madrid and Atlético can change coaches if they want to. 4. Can they bring players through from their respective B teams? Yes, the FIFA ban does not stop the two clubs from bringing players through the ranks to strengthen their first teams.

Roma have appointed former coach Luciano Spalletti as successor to Rudi Garcia, who was sacked  on Wednesday. Spalletti, 56, coached Roma from 2005 to 2009, twice winning the Coppa Italia, before he resigned and joined Russian club Zenit St Petersburg. The Italian won two league titles during his time in Russia but he was  sacked  by Zenit in 2014. Garica was dismissed by Roma after a poor run of results that saw the Italian side drop to fifth in Serie A. Roma have been drawn against Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League having qualified from the group stage with the lowest number of points.

FIFA have sanctioned the Madrid clubs over 'irregularities in the signing of minors' - the same offence for which Barcelona received their embargo . Real Madrid and  Atletico  have been banned from transfers after irregularities in signing of Under-18s. FIFA have sanctioned the Madrid clubs over 'irregularities in the signing of minors' - the same offence for which Barcelona received their embargo. The pair will be unable to sign players in the summer or the next winter window. However, they can still register players for the remainder of this month. Rules from the game's governing body state that international transfers are only permitted for players over the age of 18 - unless the individual players meets one of three qualifying criteria: "Under-18s can move to a club in a different country if their parents move there for non-footballing reasons, if they are from another nation within the European Union or European Economic Area and aged between 16 and

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed the signing of FC Basel midfielder Mohamed Elneny, who could be available to face Stoke on Sunday. Elneny, 23, has reportedly cost about £5m and is eligible to play in the Champions League. Speaking after the  3-3 draw at Liverpool, Wenger said: "He has joined us and we will see if he can qualify for Sunday."

It’s been a week now since Arsenal confirmed that they’d agreed a deal with Basel for midfielder Mohamed Elneny. The player has agreed terms and the deal is pretty much done. So why the hold up? Well, a work permit. As Elneny isn’t an EU citizen, he needs one, and with Egypt out of the FIFA top 50, despite his regular appearances for his country, it needs an appeal. Red tape is currently holding it up, as Arsenal have to explain that he’s an exceptional player, how good he is and all that - oh, and why he’ll play regularly and be an asset, rather than just a guy who’ll sit on the bench.

It all started so well. But after the high of his first season, Rudi Garcia’s last 18 months have been something of a come down for Roma fans and the Frenchman has been sacked by the Giallorossi. The ex-Lille boss leaves after two-and-a-half years at the Stadio Olimpico. A statement on the club’s websited announces Roma have relieved Garcia and his assistants Frederic Bompard and Claude Fichaux, of their duties. “On behalf of myself and AS Roma, we would like to thank Rudi Garcia for his important work since his arrival,” declared president James Pallotta. “Together we experienced good times but we feel this is the right time to change. “ Former Roma boss Luciano Spalletti has been mooted as a potential replacement.

Jerome Valcke  FIFA have sacked Jerome Valcke with immediate effect. The general secretary had been suspended from all footballing activities amid allegations of involvement in the World Cup ticketing scandal.

Arsene Wenger  believes  Arsenal  have won the race to sign Nigerian wonderkids Kelechi Nwakali and Samuel Chukwueze. Arsenal have agreed a combined £3m fee with the Diamond Football Academy in Umuahia, Nigeria, and are expected to complete the deal this month. They have beaten off competition from Manchester City and  Bayern Munich  to get the pair who won the Under-17 World Cup in Chile in November. The players have been represented by English agents, Stellar, as they have looked to move to the Premier League. They are due to arrive to complete the deals and will sign professional contracts at 18.

Former Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic , 34, has left Serie A side Inter Milan by mutual consent and is considering a move to the MLS .  (Daily Mail) United have turned their attention to Valencia's Portugal midfielder Andre Gomes, 22, after Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone put a block on a move for 21-year-old Spaniard Saul Niguez. (Daily Star) Bournemouth are the latest club to show an interest in Queens Park Rangers winger Matt Phillips, 24, who is also a target for West Brom . (Sun) Celtic are set to take Manchester City midfielder Bersant Celina, 19, on loan until the end of the season.  (Daily Record - subscription required) Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona have joined City in the race for Schalke's 20-year-old Germany midfielder Leroy Sane, who is rated at £40m.  (Daily Mirror) City boss Manuel Pellegrini says he is not seeking cover for central defender Vincent Kompany, 29, despite uncertainty over when the Belgium international may return fro

Lionel Messi Messi was the eventual winner, beating Ronaldo to what would have been his 3rd consecutive title, but there were 30 skippers who didn't include the Argentine in their top three. Wayne Rooney picked Lionel Messi and

EPL games for today and tomorrow.

Arsenal are ready to pay £13.4m to Celta Vigo for 29-year-old Spain forward Nolito .  ( Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish) Manchester United have opened talks with Atletico Madrid over midfielder Saul Niguez. The 21-year-old Spaniard has an £18m release clause in his contract.  (Daily Mirror) Tottenham striker Harry Kane, 22, says Tottenham have a great future and he is happy to stay despite being linked with a summer move to Real Madrid.  (Sun) The North London club have competition from Turkish side Galatasaray as they attempt to sign Chelsea's 29-year-old France striker Loic Remy.  (Daily Express) West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino wants to join Spurs in the current transfer window. The 22-year-old will reject offers from all other clubs.  (Sun) However, Liverpool will still try to tempt Berahino to Anfield as a replacement for Daniel Sturridge, 26.  (Daily Express) Aston Villa boss Remi Garde wants to start an overhaul of the squad by releasing the club's l

We're approaching the halfway point in the January window. Keep up with the latest rumours and updates right here. The  January transfer window  is well and truly open – and Arsene Wenger thinks it will be the biggest yet.

The winners of the all League Two replay between Yeovil and Carlisle will take on Everton in the fourth round.     Should  Liverpool  defeat Exeter in their             replay at Anfield, they will host West Ham. Chelsea,

Summary of 1st place votes All: LM 319, CR 100, Rest 79 Captains: LM 90, CR 39, Rest 33 Coaches: LM 92, CR 38, Rest 35 Media: LM 137, CR 23, Rest 11 NOTE: LM = Lionel Messi              CR =Cristiano Ronaldo

The FA Cup fourth round draw comes off hot off the heels of an enthralling weekend of third round action. After  Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City  all safely navigated their way through to the fourth round, who could the big-boys get next and what are the balls to look out for? When is it? The draw will be made at precisely  7.15pm on Monday, January 11. When can I watch the matches? Once the ties have been decided the FA Cup fourth round will be played between Friday February 29 and Monday March 1. What was the main story from the third round? Well, undoubtedly, the headline story from the weekend was League Two  Oxford City's shock triumph over Swansea City . Exeter City were denied one of the most historic results in their history on Friday when a late goal from Liverpool left-back Brad Smith salvaged a replay for Jurgen Klopp's youthful Liverpool side. Can you tell me the balls? Yes, of course. 1 Watford 2 West Bromwich Albion or Bristol C

Gareth bale his dismissed speculation linking him with a move away from Real Madrid. The Welshman admitted to being disappointed that Rafa Benitez was sacked, but says he is not going anywhere “I don’t feel I need to make a statement to anyone,” Bale said when quizzed about his future in Madrid. “I had a very good relationship with Rafa, obviously it was a big disappointment to see him go, but things like this happen in football, you’re professional and you get on with it and carry on.”

Arsene Wenger said at his press conference on Friday that he expected the deal for Mohamed Elneny to be completed within “two to three days”. So, unless the move has hit a snag the Gunners should be making an announcement before the day is out. Stick with us here and we’ll bring you any update on that deal as it happens.

Chelsea have been linked with two big money signings this morning. The  Daily Star  say the Blues have bid £30m for Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Alex Teixeira, who has scored 26 goals already this season. Meanwhile, Italian paper  Gazzetto dello Sport  say Chelsea are also in for AC Milan’s Colombian striker Carlos Bacca, and they’re willing to meet his £30m asking price.